Fez Posted November 2, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 683 Topics Per Day: 0.12 Content Count: 11,128 Content Per Day: 1.99 Reputation: 1,352 Days Won: 54 Joined: 02/03/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/07/1952 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Church membership, as opposed to just going to church? I have never been, or been made a "member" of a church. I am on the leadership team of my church but have never signed anything or been read anything that denotes me as a "member". We kind of just attend, most of us for 10 years or more and we don't talk about members in our church at all. So simple question. What is this member thing as opposed to long term attendance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted November 2, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,993 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,691 Content Per Day: 11.76 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted November 2, 2013 I was attending a wonderful big popular church..My daughter was going with me.We were told several things to do to become a member of the church which were really wanted to do.It took us alot of time to achieve these things.Then the night came when the members were recognized.My daughter and I were really looking forward to it.But when we opened the program we noticed that our names were not on it.We asked one of the Elders.He said "Oh no you have to be interviewed by the elders".Not only was i disillusioned but I was highly disappionted and so was my daughter.We said forget it.We will just attend.I don't think Jesus would like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFP Posted November 2, 2013 Group: Senior Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 25 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 732 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 91 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/31/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/24/1969 Share Posted November 2, 2013 I have never been a member of a church either. The church I attend (irregular attendance at best) does the membership thing. Not sure what it is about...was never interested. My father, who is a preacher, NOT a pastor, never got involved in membership, and he has attended the same church since I was born. He just doesn't take to the whole membership idea. I have somehow understood the membership idea as more of a tithe thing...you are expected as a member to tithe to that church only...but May gift to other things. I have never been one to tithe, we put a few dollars in when the offering plate goes around, but my real " tithe" goes directly to people I know are in need...be they strangers or known to us. I may be totally wrong in this assumption of membership though. I am interested in hearing more about the membership roles as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest man Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 I was attending a wonderful big popular church..My daughter was going with me.We were told several things to do to become a member of the church which were really wanted to do.It took us alot of time to achieve these things.Then the night came when the members were recognized.My daughter and I were really looking forward to it.But when we opened the program we noticed that our names were not on it.We asked one of the Elders.He said "Oh no you have to be interviewed by the elders".Not only was i disillusioned but I was highly disappionted and so was my daughter.We said forget it.We will just attend.I don't think Jesus would like that. I would've walked out and never looked back. If church membership is decided according to our works, odds are the church's focus is on works and not the Gospel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desi2007 Posted November 2, 2013 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 61 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,220 Content Per Day: 0.20 Reputation: 219 Days Won: 3 Joined: 10/05/2007 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/18/1966 Share Posted November 2, 2013 seeing no difference really member or not, and if a church made a big deal out of it. I would probably stop attending the church. Simply because it gives me the impression that they care more about the numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest man Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 seeing no difference really member or not, and if a church made a big deal out of it. I would probably stop attending the church. Simply because it gives me the impression that they care more about the numbers. For many churches today, numbers equate to dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hindsfeet Posted November 2, 2013 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 9 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 201 Content Per Day: 0.05 Reputation: 49 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/16/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted November 2, 2013 I once went to a church that had an 'attendance sheet' passed around where you signed your name. However, like others, I never officially 'signed' anything to become a 'member'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoc Posted November 3, 2013 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 1 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 153 Content Per Day: 0.04 Reputation: 16 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/14/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted November 3, 2013 I was a member of a large church for 7 years Memberships was required to join any ministry. As a member you were requested to attend a new members class. The classes provided some foundation christian teaching, and church history. The church was 104 years old, and it was on its 4th Pastor. Membership provided a greater level of communication with what the church was doing in the community, and around the world along with providing an avenue for getting connected and involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted November 3, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,993 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,691 Content Per Day: 11.76 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted November 3, 2013 seeing no difference really member or not, and if a church made a big deal out of it. I would probably stop attending the church. Simply because it gives me the impression that they care more about the numbers. For many churches today, numbers equate to dollars. The church I was going to was always asking for money for something or other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIP Posted November 3, 2013 Group: Senior Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 545 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 116 Days Won: 1 Joined: 04/16/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted November 3, 2013 My name was placed in the "membership" book in the last church I attended ..without even being consulted about it. The only book with my name in it that matters to me is "the Lamb's book of Life" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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